Facing Forward (3/?)
Title: Facing Forward (3/?)
Author: nerdgirlwalking
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: R eventually
Summary: Its what you do, you face forward you make plans. How do Callie and Arizona move on from the events in the finale and what happens when some unexpected visitors come to town?
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use.
AN: This will be my first post to the community. Hope I did everything correctly. I wouldn't have gotten up the nerve to do it if not for wbelisabeth and iamyouknowiam. I'd like to take a moment to thank the both of them for their kind words and encouragement.
Part 1: http://nerdgirlwalking.livejournal.com/3188.html#cutid1
Part 2: http://nerdgirlwalking.livejournal.com/3549.html#cutid1
“Daddy, calm down.” Callie said for what felt like the hundredth time, trying to get her father to chill out. Carlos had been ranting non-stop since she had entered the suite. Aria, the coward, had practically sprinted from the room once Callie had arrived, saying that she’d meet Arizona downstairs giving father and daughter time to talk. More like give Daddy time to rage without her having to hear it.
The day had started out so well. She had woken up about forty five minutes before Arizona’s pager had gone off. It was rare in their relationship that she’d wake before her girlfriend and in light of recent events she took full advantage of the opportunity to study the blonde unobserved. She had lain there watching Arizona sleep, her heart full, and the pain of the last few weeks was gone just like that. She was so beautiful it took Callie’s breath away. How she ever thought she would be okay with not having Arizona in her life she didn’t know. She had reaffirmed in those quiet moments a vow to herself that she would do whatever it took to keep the sleeping woman in her life forever.
The first thing we need to do is get her stuff back over to my place. I hate sleeping without her and I don’t want to make a habit of it. My place is closer to work which means we have more time to stay in bed and the shower and sometimes the living room. Mmm Arizona in the living room. That last time we were on the couch and then she slipped to her knees… Whoa focus Callie! You’re supposed to be dealing with your dad right now.
She shook her head and looked over to her father. He was still going strong. He hadn’t even caught on to the fact that she wasn’t paying him much attention.
Though, I wonder if she’d consider getting a place of our own. Its not too soon to ask is it? We did go through a lot yesterday. People died. Would it be in bad taste to ask now? She did say she couldn’t live without me and our ten kids. We can’t live with Christina and ten kids; it’d be like living in the thunderdome. We need something big with a yard and a porch and a place for her chickens. I can’t believe I’m going to agree to the chickens…
An increase in her father’s volume brought her back to the present. “I’ll sue that damn hospital, the SWAT team, the mayor, anyone and everyone with ties to this whole fiasco!” Her father increased his speed pacing back and forth across the posh living area of their suite.
She stepped into his path and held her hands up like she was trying to stop an unruly child from running in the house. “You don’t need to sue anyone. I’m fine.”
He just stepped around her and continued his rant. “Sure you’re fine. You just had some lunatic wave a gun in your face yesterday.”
Rolling her eyes she tried again, “Daddy, seriously I’m fine.” This was getting her nowhere. The frustration must have shown on her face because Carlos suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“Calliope, maybe you should sit down. Look at you, you’re clearly upset.” He replied taking her by the elbow and guiding her toward one of the suite’s couches.
Callie was amazed at her father’s lack of awareness. No question where I get it from. She pulled away from his grasp. “I’m upset because you’re freaking out. I’m upset because you just threatened to sue half the city, including my boss who WAS shot yesterday. I’m upset because you’re overreacting like you always do.”
“Forgive me for being concerned about you.” Carlos huffed crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Great now he’s sulking. Way to go Callie!
“Daddy, I love you. I appreciate the fact that you want to come in and fix things but there’s nothing to fix here. What happened yesterday was terrible but the guy who’s to blame is dead. Can’t we just agree to be thankful that I’m still standing here and leave it at that?”
“Of course I’m thankful that you’re here. But you’re my little girl and I can’t stand the thought of you being in danger”
“I did what I had to do Daddy.”
Carlos raised an eyebrow at that comment, “Explain.” His tone brokered no argument.
Oh hell didn’t Aria tell him that part already?
Callie rubbed the back of her neck frantically trying to come up with a way to spin the situation that wouldn’t cause her father to have a heart attack. “Ah well, you see- really the whole thing, it just happened. I reacted in the moment. But it, it was the right thing to do.” She nodded her head like that should be enough of an explanation for him.
“Reacted how exactly and to what?”
“Well, you see there was this girl with a ruptured appendix. I mean big time ruptured, like kerblewy! Since we were in lock down Arizona and I had to treat her on our own. You know since we were the only attendings around and there wasn’t enough staff on the floor anyway. We were in a treatment room with her and…” Maybe if she got it out quickly. “IsteppedbetweenthegunmanandArizonaandgavehimbandagestomakehimleave.” Callie blurted out, backing against the wall and squeezing her eyes shut in preparation for the explosion to come.
When there was nothing but silence for a few minutes Callie slowly opened her left eye. What she saw made her go wide-eyed. Her father had slumped down on the sofa; his chest bent over his knees and he had his head between his hands.
“Daddy?” She said softly taking a seat on the sofa beside him and laying a careful hand on his shoulder.
“I don’t understand,” Carlos said with a shake of his head. She had never heard him sound so lost before. It freaked her out way more than his earlier ranting. He looked up at Callie. “How could Arizona let you do that?”
“Let me? What do you mean let me? She was busy protecting the little girl, Ruby. I did what I had to do to protect them both.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If Mama or I where in that situation you’d do the same thing.”
“No, no its not…”
“It’s not what Daddy?” Angry, Callie jumped to her feet. “It’s not the same because Arizona is a woman? Jesus, Daddy I thought we were past this!” Callie began pacing the room. “I love Arizona, Daddy. I would do anything, anything to keep her safe! What we have is good. It’s real. Just as real as what you and Mama have. It is exactly the same.”
“Calliope,”
She held up her hand. “Don’t you Calliope me Daddy. I can’t believe you.”
“Calliope, listen to me.”
“I thought you understood. I thought you were okay with this, with me. I mean you invited Arizona for Christmas. What did you just do that for appearances? Did Aria tell you I was working Christmas day before you asked? You knew we wouldn’t come anyway so it made you look like the good guy to ask when you knew it wouldn’t cost you anything. Are you still waiting for me to come to my senses some day? You got Father Kevin hiding in the bathroom or something…”
“Calliope Iphegenia Torres!” Carlos shouted.
Callie froze mid stride. Damn Pavlovian reaction to my full name!
“You didn’t let me finish.” Carlos took a deep breath and stood up. When he was standing across from Callie he took her hand in his. “I don’t understand how it’s possible that I could have lost you yesterday. I don’t understand how a man could threaten sick children. I don’t understand how I didn’t know until today just how deeply you felt for Arizona.” He shook his head, “It’s not the same because I don’t know if I could do what you did.”
“Buh, what?”
“That was a very brave thing. Stupid, but very brave. Not everyone has that sort of bravery within them. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“Daddy,” Callie sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. She pulled him into a tight hug.
“I love you Calliope.”
“I love you too.”
They stood there a few moments. Callie was the first to pull away. She wiped at her eyes. “I probably look like a raccoon.” She glanced at her watch. “Arizona should be here by now. Let me go wash my face and then lets head downstairs. I don’t want to leave her alone with Aria too long. She knows too much.”
Carlos laughed, “You look beautiful. I’m sure Arizona would say the same. But do what you must.”
Callie smiled and headed towards the bathroom. She was about to turn on the tap when she heard her father’s voice.
“You’re a hero. They should give you a medal! Has anyone talked to you about the city giving you a medal?”
She rolled her eyes. “No one’s giving me a medal Daddy.”
“What’s with this city, they think they’re too good to give my hero daughter a medal?”
“Daddy!”